1. The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 3: Our Hope of Salvation at the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1-9) You “are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5)

2. The Spiritual Position of Peter’s Pilgrims (1 Peter 1:2) They are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Ephesians 1:4) “For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” –They are chosen through their response to the gospel! –Note that obedience and the application of the blood are joined together in this text! –The blood of Christ is applied to us in the obedience of baptism (Hebrews 9:18-23; 12:24; 1 Peter 1:22a; Romans 6:3; Acts 22:16)

3. Begotten Again to a Sure Salvation (1 Peter 1:1-5) The Father is to be blessed – adored and praised (2 Corinthians 1:3; Psalm 103:1-2) –His mercy is “abundant” (Ephesians 2:4; Psalm 103:17; 118:1-4) In accordance with His merciful nature, He has begotten us again. –He has given us a new life -- a second chance! (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Our new life provides us “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Cor. 15:12-19)

4. Begotten Again to a Sure Salvation (1 Peter 1:1-5) Our new birth entitles us to an inheritance! (Romans 8:17) Our inheritance is described in verse 4 as… –Incorruptible: it will not decay (1 Cor. 9:25) –Undefiled: it is unsoiled –Does not fade away: it retains its original beauty –Reserved in heaven for you: it is carefully guarded and kept just for you (John 14:2; Col.1:5)

5. Begotten Again to a Sure Salvation (1 Peter 1:1-5) We are safely kept for our final salvation by the power of God through faith! (1:5) –God’s power is unassailable. No one can take the saved out of His hand (John 10:28-29) –Yet we can “depart from the faith”, “cast off” the faith, or stray from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1; 5:12; 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:18) Would you agree that, once a person is saved by the power of God, his salvation is as secure as his faith?

6. Begotten Again to a Sure Salvation (1 Peter 1:1-5) Our salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. –Salvation is reserved in heaven! (cf. 1:4) –It is “ready” (i.e. “prepared” – John 14:2) –To be “revealed” or “uncovered” (Gr.apokalupto) The revelation of our salvation coincides with the revelation or appearing of Jesus Christ (Gr. apokalupsis, 1 Peter 1:7, 13) –This event will occur in the “last time” Not 70 A.D., but at the final increment of time! This salvation is the goal of our faith! (1 Peter 1:9)

7. The Joy of Salvation Makes Trials Bearable (1 Peter 1:6-9) We may rejoice in our salvation even while being grieved by various trials. (1:6, 8) –What are examples of different trials we face? –How long must these trials be endured? –How does the length of time we must endure afflictions compare to the duration of our salvation? (2 Corinthians 4:17) –How does the severity of our sufferings compare to the splendor of our salvation? (Romans 8:18)

8. The Joy of Salvation Makes Trials Bearable (1 Peter 1:6-9) Trials make our faith pure and strong – they prove the genuineness of faith! (1:7) –Purifying faith is like refining precious metal. (Proverbs 17:3) –The Lord uses affliction to refine us (Isaiah 48:10; Romans 5:3-4) Note the difference between purified gold and purified faith – gold perishes! Genuine faith enables us to love Jesus and joyfully anticipate His coming! (1:8; Hebrews 11:1)